Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

The review by the Leapfrog Group finds Maryland hospitals rank near the bottom nationally for certain quality measures. Meanwhile, the District of Columbia's only public hospital also faces challenges regarding patient safety. News outlets also report on technology developments at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a merger between two New Hampshire facilities.

The Washington Post:
‘Simply Unacceptable’: D.C. Council Members Press Hospital Operator On Patient’s Death
D.C. Council members said they were “gravely” worried about patients’ safety at the District’s only public hospital in a tense hearing Monday, as the executives who run the troubled facility pledged to improve. The D.C. Council health committee hearing focused on the performance of Veritas of Washington, a firm led by campaign donors to Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), which has managed United Medical Center for a fee of $300,000 per month since 2016. The council must decide in the coming weeks whether to renew the contract. (Jamison, 10/30)

Nashville Tennessean:
VUMC Hurdles Toward 'Big Bang' Switch To New Epic System
At midnight on Nov. 2, Vanderbilt University Medical Center will undergo a "Big Bang"-caliber changeover to a new Epic Systems software platform that costs more than $200 million and will impact interactions with every single patient. For a period of what executives hope is six to seven hours, VUMC staff will rely on its "downtime" procedures as its existing system is retired and the new system, eStar, is brought online in an orchestrated, step-by-step process. The old system will cease to operate at the end of Nov. 1. (Fletcher, 10/30)

NH Times Union:
Elliot, So. New Hampshire Officials Announce Healthcare Merger
Administrators from Elliot Hospital and Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua signed an agreement Monday on an alliance to create a new regional healthcare system. Pending regulatory approval, Elliot and Southern New Hampshire Health intend to form “SOLUTIONHEALTH,” which officials from both agencies feel could improve medical care through sharing electronic records and other advancements in medical technology. (Alden, 10/30)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.